Method and apparatus for playing a projectile and board game

ABSTRACT

A throwing pick game that includes a playing surface, at least one throwing pick and a support panel. The playing surface further includes a plurality of scoring areas having an identifying indicia disposed therein for which a player can be awarded the value of the identifying indicia when the throwing pick lands in the scoring area. The scoring areas are further defined by a border. The support panel further includes an attachment mechanism that functions to secure the throwing pick game to a suitable support structure in a generally vertical orientation.

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 119(e) & 37 C.F.R. 1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the followingprior U.S. provisional patent application entitled: No nine, ApplicationNo. 60/742,344, filed Dec. 5, 2005, in the names of Paul J. Willett andWilliam Campbell, which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game, more specifically a game thatutilize a board and throwing picks for players to score points.

BACKGROUND

Various games employing throwing picks or darts have enjoyedconsiderable popularity for many years by bar patrons and otherindividuals as relaxing, competitive games which can be played whilesocializing. Recently, there has been an increase in the popularity ofthese styles of games for households as well. In response to this marketdemand, various alternative types of throwing pick and dart games withdifferent boards and methods of play have been developed.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a method of playing darts or agame that involves throwing picks and a specialized game board toprovide an alternative for individuals choosing to engage in these typesof games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a game board and aplurality of throwing picks wherein the game board has superposedthereon a plurality of landing circles such that if a pick sticks withinon of the landing circles a player accumulates points.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a game board tobe used with a plurality of throwing picks that has a plurality oflanding circles thereon that are different sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game board foruse with a plurality of throwing picks that has a plurality of landingcircles thereon that have different point values for each landingcircle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game boardfor use with a plurality of throwing picks with the game boardconfigured to be mounted on a support structure that is secured to awall in a generally vertical manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a game board foruse with a plurality of throwing picks that is easy to use andrelatively inexpensive.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the presentinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing. Attention is called to the fact that the drawing isillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of thepresent invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the components of a preferred embodiment of the gamein accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing submitted herewith wherein the variouselements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and whereinlike elements are identified with like reference numerals and inparticular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of aboard game 10 constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention.

The board game 10 comprises a playing surface 100 that is configured ina substantially planar manner and is generally rectangular in shape. Theplaying surface 100 is manufactured from a suitable durable materialsuch as but not limited to cork. The playing surface 100 is manufacturedsuch that it is able to receive and releasably secure at least a portionof a throwing pick 300. The playing surface 100 is manufactured to havesufficient thickness to allow the throwing pick 300 to penetrate andassist in releasably securing the throwing pick 300 to the playingsurface 100. Although the playing surface 100 is shown in the drawingssubmitted herewith as being generally rectangular in shape, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the playing surface 100 could bemanufactured in numerous different shapes. The playing surface 100 ismounted on a wall or other suitable support structure that is generallyvertical in orientation. Although no particular height is required, goodresults have been achieved by securing the playing surface 100 generallyfive and a half feet above the ground.

Superposed on the playing surface 100 are a plurality of landing areas120. The landing areas 120 are generally annular in shape and haveassociated therewith a point value. Each landing area 120 has adifferent point value such as depicted by element 125. While noparticular amount of landing areas 120 are necessary, good results havebeen achieved with a playing surface 100 that has nine landing areas120. It is further contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention that the landing areas 120 have the numeric values of onethrough eight and ten associated therewith. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the landing areas 120 could have numerous differentcombinations of numeric values associated therewith. It should also berecognized that although the landing areas 120 are shown in the drawingssubmitted herewith as being generally annular in shape, the landingareas 120 could be constructed in numerous different shapes.

A support panel 200 is designed to releasably secure the playing surface100 to a suitable support structure such as but not limited to a wall ina generally vertical orientation. The support panel 200 includes a body210 which is generally of the same size and shape of the playing surface10. The body 210 is manufactured of a suitable and durable material suchas but not limited to cork. The body 210 is manufacture to be ofsufficient thickness so as to substantially inhibit the throwing pick300 from penetrating through to the adjacent support structure. The body210 has secured thereon lower attachment mechanisms 220 and upperattachment mechanisms 230. The lower attachment mechanisms 220 and theupper attachment mechanisms 230 function to releasably secure thesupport panel 200 to a suitable support structure. The lower attachmentmechanisms 220 and the upper attachment mechanisms 230 are made fromsuitable durable materials for releasably securing the support panel 200to a support structure.

The back side 140 of the playing surface 100 is releasably secured tothe front side 215 of the support panel 200 that will be opposite thesupport structure upon which the board game 10 is suspended in agenerally vertical orientation. Back side 140 of the playing surface 100is secured to front side 215 of the support panel 200 by suitablemethods such as but not limited to a hook and loop fastener.

A throwing pick 300 is used by a user to project towards the suspendedplaying surface 100 in order to score points during the game. Thethrowing pick 300 consists of a base 310 that is generally elongated inshape and a tip portion 320 secured to one end of the base 310. The base310 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but notlimited to plastic. The tip 320 is manufactured from a suitable durablematerial such as but not limited to steel or aluminum. The tip 320 hasat least a portion that is tapered to form a point at end 335 such thatthe end 335 can penetrate the playing surface 10 when projected thereonallowing the throwing pick to be releasably secured to the playingsurface 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the general rulesand method of playing the board game 10 are as follows. A user willsecure the playing surface 100 on the support panel 200 and subsequentlysecure the board game 10 to a suitable vertical support structure.Following securing the board game 10, a throwing line is establishedapproximately six to eight feet away from the playing surface 100. Whileno particular alignment of the throwing line is required, good resultshave been achieved by establishing the throwing line in general axialalignment with the playing surface 100. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the throwing line could be placed at any numerousdifferent distances from the board game 10. Each player is then providedwith at least one throwing pick 300. To determine the player that willbe first in the playing rotation, each player will throw a throwing pick300 towards the playing surface 100 and the player that successfullyland the throwing pick 300 in the landing area 120 that has a pointvalue of ten will proceed first. A successful throw of a throwing pick300 for any throw in the process of the game or determining playerrotation must include the throwing pick 300 completing a one hundred andeighty degree rotation prior to the end 335 of the tip 320 embeddinginto the playing surface 100. Each player will throw the throwing pick300 one time per turn in the player rotation determined as referencedherein.

In determining player rotation, if more than one player accomplisheslanding the throwing pick 300 in the landing area 120 with the numericvalue of ten, the process is repeated until the first player in theplaying rotation is determined. Subsequent to determining the playerrotation, a player will throw the throwing pick 300 towards the playingsurface 100 in an effort to land the throwing pick 300 in one of thelanding areas 120. A player who has thrown a throwing pick 300 that haslanded within the landing area but not on the border defining thatlanding area 120 will be awarded the point value assigned to thatlanding area 120. If a player's throwing pick 300 lands on the border125 of the landing area 120 the player is not awarded the point valuefor that landing area 120.

It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention thatnumerous methods of scoring and play could be utilized to play the boardgame 10. One method would involve each player receiving a predeterminednumber of throws that would be performed in a rotational manner. Eachplayer takes turns throwing the throwing pick 300 in an effort to landthe throwing pick in a landing area with the highest point value. Thepoint values for each turn are cumulated and after each player hasthrown the predetermined number of throws and the player with thehighest total points wins.

Another method of play is contemplated to have more than one player playin a rotational manner with the objective being that the landing areas120 must be pursued in an ascending manner. For example, if the landingareas 120 have the point values of one through eight and ten, eachplayer must successfully land their throwing pick 300 in the landingarea 120 with the point value of one before proceeding to the nextascending value. The player to land a throwing pick 300 in each landingarea 120 successfully in the fewest number of throws wins.

It is further contemplated that another method of play is to have morethan one player play in a rotational manner with the objective beingthat the landing areas 120 must be pursued in a descending manner. Forexample, if the landing areas 120 have the point values of one througheight and ten, each player must successfully land their throwing pick300 in the landing area 120 with the point value of ten beforeproceeding to the next descending value. The player to land a throwingpick 300 in each landing area 120 successfully in the fewest number ofthrows wins.

Another contemplated method of play is for each player to be assignedthe same numeric value at the beginning of the game. More specificallybut not by way of limitation, a value of three hundred. Subsequent toselecting the player rotation as defined herein, each player would throwtheir throwing picks 300 towards the landing areas 120. With eachsuccessful landing, the player would have the corresponding numericvalue associated with that landing area subtracted from the assignednumeric value from the start of the game. The players repeat this stepuntil the first player that deducts all of the points from theirassigned initial total wins. In order to complete this method of playand win the game, the player must land the throwing pick 300successfully on the landing area that has the point value associatedtherewith that when subtracted from the players current total numericvalue that it equal zero.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawing that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have beendescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitableembodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description mayomit certain information known to those skilled in the art. Thepreceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limitedto the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, ascan be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method of playing a game utilizing a board and projectile,comprising: providing at least one throwing pick to a player; providinga playing surface, wherein said playing surface is releasably secured toa support panel, wherein said playing surface further including at leastone scoring areas; suspending said playing surface to a suitable supportstructure wherein said playing surface is generally in a verticalorientation; establishing a throwing distance for the player to be atwhile playing the board game; determining player rotation; launching athrowing pick towards said playing surface; receiving a score forsuccessfully landing said throwing pick on said playing surface withinone of said scoring areas; and cumulating each players score subsequentto all players completing a predetermined number of turns.
 2. The methodof playing a board game as recited in claim 1, wherein said scoring areafurther includes identifying indicia disposed therein for use incumulating each players score.
 3. The method of playing a board game asrecited in claim 3, wherein said scoring areas are generally annular inshape.
 4. The method of playing a board game as recited in claim 3,wherein the step of launching the throwing pick includes the throwingpick rotating at least ½ rotation.
 5. The method of playing a board gameas recited in claim 4, wherein said playing surface further includesnine scoring areas.
 6. The method of playing a board game as recited inclaim 5, wherein the identifying indicia within each of said ninescoring areas includes the numeric values of one, two, three, four,five, six, seven, eight and ten.
 7. A method of playing a projectilegame comprising: providing at least one projectile to a player;providing a playing surface, wherein said playing surface is releasablysecured to a support panel, wherein said playing surface furtherincludes a plurality scoring areas, said scoring areas having disposedthereon an identifying indicia; suspending said playing surface to asuitable support structure wherein said playing surface is generally ina vertical orientation; establishing a throwing line for the player tobe positioned behind while playing the board game, the throwing linebeing in general parallel with said playing surface; deciding playerrotation by each player launching a projectile towards the playingsurface and wherein the player whose projectile lands in a select ofsaid plurality of scoring area will play first in the player rotation;and launching the projectile towards said playing surface, wherein eachplayer will launch one projectile in turn of the determined rotation;receiving a score for successfully landing said projectile on saidplaying surface within said scoring areas; and cumulating each playersscore subsequent to all players completing a predetermined number ofturns.
 8. The method of playing the projectile game as recited in claim7, wherein said scoring areas are generally annular in shape.
 9. Themethod of playing the projectile game as recited in claim 8, whereinsaid playing surface includes nine scoring areas.
 10. The method ofplaying the projectile game as recited in claim 9, wherein theidentifying indicia disposed within the scoring zones are the values, 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and ten.
 11. The method of playing the projectilegame as recited in claim 10, wherein the scoring areas further include aborder, said border defining said scoring area.
 12. The method ofplaying the projectile game as recited in claim 11, wherein uponcumulating the score for the players, any player having a projectileembedded with at least a portion touching said border of a scoring areawill not receive the point value for the identifying indicia disposedwithin said scoring area defined by said border.
 13. The method ofplaying the projectile game as recited in claim 12, wherein a playerwill be awarded the value of the identifying indicia disposed withinsaid scoring area when the player's dart was thrown wherein theprojectile completed a one hundred and eighty degree rotation prior tolanding in said scoring area.
 14. A method of playing a throwing pickgame comprising: providing a throwing pick; providing a playing surface,said playing surface being generally rectangular in shape, wherein saidplaying surface is releasably secured to a support panel, wherein saidplaying surface further includes nine scoring areas, said scoring areashaving disposed therein an identifying indicia; suspending said playingsurface to a suitable support structure wherein said playing surface isgenerally in a vertical orientation and approximately five and one halffeet above the ground; establishing a throwing line for a player to bepositioned behind while playing the board game, the throwing line beingin general axial alignment with said playing surface; deciding playerrotation, wherein the player rotation is determined by each playerlaunching a throwing pick towards said playing surface and wherein theplayer whose throwing pick lands in said scoring area designated withthe largest identifying indicia will play first in the player rotation;launching a throwing pick towards said playing surface, wherein eachplayer will launch one throwing pick in turn of the determined rotation;receiving a score for successfully landing said throwing pick on saidplaying surface within said scoring areas; and cumulating each playersscore subsequent to all players completing a predetermined number ofturns.
 15. The method of playing the throwing pick game as recited inclaim 14, wherein said scoring areas are generally annular in shape andfurther include a border circumferentially disposed thereabout.
 16. Themethod of playing the throwing pick game as recited in claim 15, whereinthe identifying indicia disposed within the nine scoring areas are: 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and
 10. 17. The method of playing the throwing pickgame as recited in claim 16, wherein upon cumulating the score for theplayers, any player having a throwing pick embedded superposed to saidborder of said nine scoring areas will not receive the point value forthe identifying indicia disposed within said scoring area defined bysaid border.
 18. The method of playing the throwing pick game as recitedin claim 16, wherein during deciding the player rotation, each player'sthrowing pick must have completed a one hundred and eighty degreerotation prior to landing on said playing surface.
 19. The method ofplaying the throwing pick game as recited in claim 17, wherein to beawarded the value of the identifying indicia disposed within said ninescoring areas, the player's throwing pick must have completed a onehundred and eighty degree rotation prior to landing on said playingsurface.
 20. The method of playing the throwing pick game as recited inclaim 19, wherein said support panel includes a plurality of attachmentmechanisms in order to releasably secure said support panel to asuitable support structure.